Organic Hydroponics and Aquaponics

31 Pages·2016·3.8 MB·English

Organic Hydroponics and
Aquaponics
Organic Hydroponics and Aquaponics
Current Status
• The USDA organic regulations do not currently prohibit
hydroponic production. Certification to the USDA organic
standards is currently allowed, as long as the certifier can
demonstrate it is certifying in a way that complies with the
standard.
NOSB Recommendations
• 1995: “Hydroponic production in soilless media to be
labeled organically produced shall be allowed if all
provisions of the OFPA have been met.”
• 2010: “Growing media shall contain sufficient organic
matter capable of supporting natural and diverse soil
ecology. For this reason, hydroponic and aeroponic
systems are prohibited.”
2
Hydroponic and Aquaponic Task Force
• Composition: individuals that represent both
the soil-based organic and hydroponic and
aquaponics communities; technical expertise.
• Objectives:
– Describe hydroponic and aquaponic systems
and practices.
– Examine how hydroponic and aquaponic
methods align or conflict with OFPA and the
USDA organic regulations.
– Explore alternatives.
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service | National Organic Program 3
Hydroponics and Aquaponics
Subcommittee
Definitions
Hydroponics - the growing of plants in mineral
nutrient solutions with or without an inert
growing media to provide mechanical support
Agreed – Should be prohibited
Reasons:
• Unapproved inputs
• Insufficient carbon and biology in system
• No nutrient cycling
Emerging Technologies
Bioponics - a contained and controlled growing
system in which plants derive nutrients from organic
substances in water and/or growing media which are
released by the biological activity of microorganisms
throughout the system
 Modified hydroponic systems that
use the same organic inputs, processes,
and principles as field growers.
Emerging Technologies
Alignment with organic principles
 All inputs compliant with The National List,
including media
 Sufficient organic matter is added to the system
to support microbial diversity
 Biology is added and maintained in the system
such that nutrient cycling is achieved
 Natural resources of farm site are conserved,
soil and water quality are not degraded (any excess
fertilizer is captured and re-purposed)
Example 1:
Aquaponics
A system of aquaculture in which the waste produced
from farmed fish or other aquatic animals supplies
nutrients for plants grown hydroponically, which in turn
purify the water
Example 2: Bioponic Tomatoes
Tomatoes grown in a base of organic
coconut husk
Crop nutrition
 Solid and liquid plant, animal,
and OMRI-approved minerals
Biology
 Media is inoculated with
compost tea
 Earthworms
Example 3: Bioponic Lettuce Systems
Lettuce started in an organic base of coconut
husk and/or compost
Crop nutrition
 Liquid organic fertilizer such as
fermented plant materials or compost teas
are added to a re-circulating water system
Biology
 Compost tea, microbes from biofilter in
the system, or other microbial inoculant
products (OMRI-approved)